Fluid-circulation unit for pumps



March 12, 1 929. L, J, BLAC 1,705,216

.FLUID CIRCULATION UNIT FOR PUMPS Filed Dec. 2, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l a INVENTOR 155 J 154/40 ATTO R N EY March 12, 19290 L. .1. BLACK FLUID CIRCULATION UNIT FORPUMPS 2 Shets-Sheet Filed Dec. 2, 1924 INVENTOR LEE. J. fiLAC/T ATTORNEY l acting type. d

In devising the present improvement, it

Patente (l -Mai'. I 1 2 UN TED STATES Inn .1. mason, or BEAUMONT, 'rnxss.

PATENT oFFlcE.

FLUID-GiBGULATION UNIT non PUMPS.

mama filed Pecember 2, 1924. serial No. 753,469.

This invention relates broadly to an improved pumpof the type utilized for-handlin r slush n drilling-wells, but has more particular reference to an improved fluid 5- end or fluid circulation unit for. sucha pump.

my foremost aim to generally improve upon devices of this class, but to more particularly improve upon my prior Patent Number 1,202,153 granted to me on October 24, 1916.-

So that the distinctions and structural advantages over that patent may be readily observed and appreciated, I'believe-it well to briefly review the structure there shown.

To this end, it will be seen that the fluid circulating unit there shown comprises a body said to be made up of pump cylinders, and a singlecasting bolted thereto and carrying all of the controlling valvesl As is characteristic of these units of fluid ends, the same embodies a single intake at the bottom and a single discharge at thetop. The dual fluid passages for each cylinder are peculiarly designed in such amanner as to alternatel umns up etween the opposed cylinders into a fluid trapping chamber. From here, the fluid descends under the action of suction thru restricted fluidways to one end of a 4 cylinder, and on the return or ressure stroke of the piston is forced up t ru the very same fluidway into the top discharge.

mountings, and all fluid passages; and, as will be seen later, the passages are such' as mum. Pumps of the above mentioned character conduct and raise the fluid col-- -.cate fluid conducting chests of specia 'These chests are constructed to form ducts do th1s by providing a single casting for the piston cylinders, valves andto compel the fluid to follow the shortest possible route in a direct line of travel from the point of entrance to the point of exit. Inv this way, the movement of the fluid is incessant and The features of coilstruction and the specific advantages derived from their use will be more prominently set out in the following description and rendered clear by the accompanying drawings. f

In the accompanying drawings formin a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same: b

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a complete slush pump showing my improved fluid end attached thereto. I

Figure'2 is an end elevation looking in a direction toward the fluid intake and discharge end. p a

Figure 3 is a top plan view with certain of the cover plates removed.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary end elevation of the casting deprived of extrane'ousdetails.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the complete casting also eliminating certain details.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical section friction is reduced to a minitaken approximately on the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 2. I

Figure 7 is a view like Fig. 4, the same being in section to show the contour of the p passages, chambers, etc.

Briefly described, the im roved fluid end isrestricted more particular y to a novel meta1 c'astin which comprises a pair of spaced parallel arrels connected together at their openends by a pair of substantiall duplidesign.

thru which fluid columns simultaneously pass in opposite directions, and are of arcuate formation to conduct the fluid up and around the outer sides oi the barrels. Connected to the central portions. of the chests at the bottoms of the latter is an intake manifold, and connected to t e central top portions is a discharge conduit. The specific construction-of these and other details will now be described in detail.

Referring first to Fi 1, it will be seen that I have illustrate pump embodying my improved fluid end. The pump, which .is a conventional steama complete slush pump, is designated by the character P, the valvebox by the letter C, the valve operating mechanism by M, and the supporting rails by the letters R.' These parts form no part of thepresent invention.

the numeral 1. It is made up of a pair of horizontal open ended barrels 2. These are disposed in spaced parallelism and are of the same length. Connecting'these barrels together at their opposite ends are substantially similar fluid chests 3 and 4 respectively. The outer chest 4 is slightly deeper and is located between said barrels.

than the inner one 3. Otherwise, they are ractically identical in configuration. An inwardly and upwardly inclined fluid intake manifold 5 is connected at its ends to the bottoms of the chests at the centers of the latter. It is to be observed that this manifold is disposed on a plane below the barrigls 1.- rectly above the manifold in vertically spaced superposed relation is the discharge conduit 6. The conduit is likewise arranged between the barrels and itand the manifold are of the same lengths as the barrels.

With this arrangement, structure is had.

In end elevation, each chest appears to be transversely bowed, the'bowed portions forming what may be called oppositely extending branches 7 and 8. These branches extend outwardly beyond the barrels. As before intimated, these chests are formulated into assages, chambers, etcf Inasmuch as uidway from the intake to the discharge is identical in each instance, I prefer that the following description be in the singular. In Figs. 4 and 7, I show one corner of the casting and it would be Well to confine attention now to theselviews. In the branch 8, a comparatively short suction pgssage 9 is formed, the top wall thereof ing defined by a substantially" flat and a very compact 'arcuate partition 10. The upper endof this partition terminates in a horizontal portion formed with a circular opening 11. Attention is directed to the fact that this horizontal part is on a level with the top of the barrel. Also, the bottom of this pass sage is rounded transversely. as better seen in Fig. 6. That portion of the casting above 'the opening 11 is substantially flat and between it and the partition 10, a fluid trapping chamber 12 is provided. Directly over the opening 11 is a hand-hole 13 ermitt'ing accessto be had to the interior. fhis trapping chamber, which is in true vertical -'alinement with the passage. 9, empties thru avalve opening 14 aboveone end ofthe co-operating barrel. The 0 ening is formed in a horizontal web which orms the bottom 1 of a top dischar e chamber 15, the top of the latter being etermined by the flattened top of the casting. In said flattened top another hand-hole 16 is formed. As is obvious, this permits access to be obtained to the chamber 15. The latter; permits the Y fluid to escape therefrom thru the discharge The invention comprises a single metal casting which. is deslgnated generally by passage 9 is substantially ovate or segmental in cross-section, while the chamber 12 and discharge chamber 15 are substantially rectangular in cross-section. As they are in superposed vertical alinement, the fluid takes a direct course therethrough. Here, I would also state that the outer end portions of the chambers are of box-like configuration, the same being arranged in stepped relation. Further, the hand-holes are covered by removable cover plates 17 of the design shown and these are bolted or otherwise secured in place.

It is to be noted that I have not shown any valves, but have simply shown and described the casting. It is, of course, understood that in practice appropriate suction and pressure operated check valves are employed. For instance, valves of the ty e shown in my aforementioned patent may be used. In fact, in the devices which I have constructed and used, similar valves are used. Nor have. I shown any lining in the barrels. The linings may also be of conventional design to provide a smooth bore for the double acting pistons (also omitted).

By providing separate -fluid trapping chambers 12, 12 for each suction valve and separate discharge chambers 15, 15 for each discharge valve the cross cutting or back lashing of the fluid from one valve to another is reduced to a minimumq Because of these separate'chambers or compartments 12, 12 and 15, 15 for each of the suction and discharge valves, respectively, the sounding ofthe valves and the action of the pistons this duplex type of pump, indicate which-gg' valve, (if any) is not functioning properly. If the suction and discharge valves were each in a common chamber it would be'impossible to tell which valve was out of order without ezmmination'of all. Figure 2 shows in dotted lines, at left, portions depending from roof portions of chambers 12 and 15 for restricting somewhat the outlet of fluid therefrom.

By carefully observing the drawings, I

am confident that one skilled in the art to trapped in the chamber 12,, is forced up thru the valve openin 14, and discharge chamber 15 into the discharge conduit 6. It escapes from the conduit at the open end, which is on the outside of the casting.

From the foregoing it will be seen that whereas the fluid was compelled to take a rather long and tortuous course in the patented device, it now takes the most direct and shortest route possible with the present arrangement. There are no violent turns to impede the flow. Onthe-other hand, the passages are so shaped andrelated, that easy flow is assured and no obstructions are encountered. 4 The most prominent feature of the invention is the single metal casting embodying symmetry and a gvell balanced arrangement of the chests, barrels, intake manifold, and discharge conduit. The .last three details are in substantial parallelism with-each'other and confined within the areas of the comparatively larger end chests. The oppositely directed branch passages of the last named details carry the fluid to the outsides of the opposite ends of the barrels instead of to the inner central portions. As stated, this arrangement sliortens the travel of the fluid about 40%. As a result, greater speed is attained, friction is reduced to a minimum,

and less power is required to operate the Another thing, in the'present structure, the details are more or less isolated from each other, this being obtained'by coring out the casting in between the barrels, chests, etc. Thus, all external walls are exposed to view for the purpose of detecting casting defects and leaks. This too, allows for expansion and contraction and makes for excellent aeration and permits repairs to be readily made.

Furthermore, a constantfluid level is I maintained by having the suction valveseats on a plane with the top of the piston barrels. Priming is never necessary with this pump. Hence, the formation of air pockets is entirely eliminated. Then too, there is no excess lift of the .fluid. These and other deatures and advantages have doubtless been made apparent from the-'foregoingdescription taken-in connection with the accompanying drawin s. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

I claim 1. In a fluid pump of the class described, a fluid'circulation unit comprising a single casting including a pair of parallel and hori-, zontally disposed open ended barrels in which separate istons are adaptedto travel; an intake mani old on a plane below and between said barrels; a pair of substantially arcuate fluid assages communicating at their lower an inner ends with said intake manifold and leading upwardly inopposite seats in their bottoms and'in a plane withthe tops of the bores of said barrels, the upper ends of said arcuate passages communicating through said valve seats; the inner 7 end of each of said fluid trapping chambers communicating with the adjacent barrel, each fluid trapping chamber having an outlet) directly above its barrel; a separate discharge chamber for each of said fluid trapping chambers and having seats for discharge valves through which said trapping chamber outlets communicate; a discharge conduit above and between said barrels and said discharge chambers having communication with said discharge conduit.

2. In a fluid pump of the class described, a fluid circulation unit comprising a single casting including a pair of parallel and horizontally disposed open ended barrels in which separate )istons are adapted to travel; an intake mani old on a plane below and between said barrels; a pair of substantially arcuate fluid passages communicating at their lower and inner ends with said intake manifold and leading upwardly in opposite directions toward the outer sides of said barrels; separate fluid trapping chambers disposed outwardly from each of said barrels; said chambers having suction valve seats in their bottoms and adjacent their outer ends, said valve seats lying in a plane with the tops of the bores of said barrels, the upper ends of said arcuate passages communicating through said valve seats; the inner end of each of said fluid trapping chambers communicating with the ad acent barrel, each fluid trapping chamber having an outlet directly aboveits barrel; a separate discharge chamber for each of said fluid trapping chambers and having seats at their outer ends for discharge valves through which said trapping chamber outlets com municate; a discharge conduit above and between said barrels, and the inner ends of said discharge chambers: having communication with said discharge conduit.

3. In a fluid pump of the class described,

a fluid circulation unitcomprising a single I castilgg including a pair of parallel and h0l-.' izont l ward the outer side of said barrels separate fluid trapping chambers disposed outwardly from each of said barrels; said chambers having suction valve seats in their bottoms and adjacent their outer ends, said valve seats and the bottoms of said fluid trappin chambers lying in a plane with the tops 0 the bores of said barrels, the upper end of aid arcuate passages communicating through said valve seats; the inner end of each of said fluid trapping chambers having relatively restricted outlets. communicating with the adjacent barrel; each fluid trapping chamber having an'outlet directly above its barrel; a separate discharge chamber for each of said fluid trapping chambers and having seats at their outer ends for discharge valves through which said tra ping chamber outlets communicate; a disc large conduit above and between said barrels and the inner ends of said discharge chambers having relatively restricted outlets communicating with said discharge conduit.

4. In a fluid pump of the class described, a

fluid circulation unit comprising a single casting including a pair of parallel and horizontally disposed open ended barrels in which separate pistons are adapted to travel; an intake manifold on a plane below and between said barrels; a pair of substantially arcuate fluid passages communicating attheii lower and inner ends with said intake manifold and leading upwardly in opposite directions toward the outer sides of said barrels; separate fluid trapping chambers disposed outwardly from each of said barrels; said chambers having suction valve seats in their bottoms and adjacent their outer ends, said valve seats and the bottoms of said fluid trapping chambers lying in a plane with the tops of the bores of'said barrels, the upper ends of said arcuate passages communicating through said valve seats; the inner end ofv each of said fluid trapping chambers having relatively restricted outlets communicating with the adjacent barrel, each fluid trapping chamber having an outlet directly above its barrel; a separate discharge chamber for each of said fluid trapping chambers and having seats at their outer ends for discharge valves through which said trapping chamber outlets communicate; a discharge conduit above and between said barirels, and the inner ends of said discharge chambers having relatively restricted outlets communicating with said discharge conduit.

5. A fluid pump comprising the combination with a substantially horizontal piston barrel having a fluid discharge conduit in communication therewith, of a fluid chamber contiguous to 'said barrel and in communication therewith, an inlet conduit communicating with said fluid chamber, said chamber having an inlet valve seat therein disposed in a plane tangential with the top of the bore of said piston barrel. v

6. A fluid end casting formed with a longitudinally extending piston barrel opening at each end into a fluid chamber, each of said chambers being enlarged above said barrel laterally outward of the casting, an intakemanifold extending longitudinally in the casting below sai'dchambers and barrel. a fluid passage rising from each end of said manifold below said chambers around the exterior thereof and vertically into said chamber enlargements, said chamber enlargementeach having a bottom wall with its top face disposed in a horizontal plane common with the top of the bore of said piston barrel, and a discharge conduit above said fluid chambers andpiston barrel.

7. A fluid end comprising a casting formed with; a pair of spaced parallel, horizontal piston barrels extending longitudinally therein and open at each end intofluid chambers, an intake manifold disposed longitudinally in the casting below and between said barrels with fluid passages rising at each end externally around said fluid chamber and terminating in inlet valve seats in a common horizontal plane level with the tops of the bores of said barrels, discharge valve seats in the tops of said fluid chambers above said suction valve seats and in alignment therewith transversely of the casting, and a discharge conduit extending longitudinally in the casting above and between said barrels and fluid chambers and in vertical alignment withsaid intake manifold.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

LEE J. BLACK. 

